They were heading into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, a peaceful place of worship that on Saturday morning became a crime scene in the deadliest attack on Jews in the U.S.

"We're under fire! We're under fire! He's got an automatic weapon and firing at us from the synagogue."

It was one of several radio dispatches from officers that gave a raw look at the chaotic and harrowing mass shooting.

"Every unit in the city needs to get here now!"

As police entered the synagogue, they found victims who were already dead. They got wounded survivors to safety, even as they were still being fired upon, according to emergency dispatches and police reports.

The tree-lined streets were soon filled with police vehicles, and tactically trained doctors also responded to treat victims at the scene. Six survivors were wounded, including four officers.

One of the officers had a severed artery, according to Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. "It could've been much worse, but his partner placed a tourniquet."

Pittsburgh Police, SWAT officers exchange fire with Robert Bowers

A Department of Motor Vehicles ID picture of Robert Bowers, the suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue attack.(Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

In active-shooter drills, city police officers and SWAT officers are trained to put the safety of others before themselves, and they continued to move toward the shooter, determined to keep him inside the building.

Robert Bowers, a 46-year-old Baldwin resident who wrote anti-Semitic posts on a social media site popular among white nationalists, is charged in the shooting deaths of 11 people ranging in age from 54 to 97. He was carrying an AR-15 assault rifle and three Glock .357 handguns, according to police reports.

He screamed "All these Jews need to die" and said "I just want to kill Jews," according to police reports.

But he also took aim at responding SWAT officers, and they returned fire, according to dispatches. Two SWAT officers were hit multiple times, including one who was critically wounded, as they worked to take the alleged shooter into custody.

"They're all heroes," Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Shubert said. "Who knows what would've happened if he got out in the streets."

Listen to audio from the police scanner as officers responded (story continues below):

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Hear audio from the Pittsburgh Police scanner as officers responded to a mass shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue and took Robert Bowers into custody.
Paul Kuehnel, pkuehnel@ydr.com

Wounded officers get treatment, support

After visiting with one of the injured officers, Peduto said that man was in good spirits. He was planning to meet with the rest of the injured officers Sunday.

Gov. Tom Wolf also spent time with the injured officers.

“I have spent today with first responders, with local leaders, and I am in awe of the bravery of displayed by law enforcement, those folks who help to keep people safe, to aid victims, and to prevent further tragedy," he said.

Officials have not formally released the identities of the four officers injured, but confirmed the wounded were two city policemen and two SWAT officers.

UPMC, which owns many hospitals in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania, said the four officers were treated at its facilities. One officer, whose age is not immediately known, was already released. Three others are at two hospitals:

40-year-old male officer is in critical condition in the intensive care unit at UPMC Presbyterian

Sukanya Srinivasan, 46, watches as hundreds gather during a vigil outside the Jewish Community Center in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh Saturday night. Srinivasan, a resident since 1997, said, "Squirrel Hill is so inclusive, you’d never imagine something like this to ever happen here." Neil Strebig

Cecilia Obermeier, 31, right, hands out heart stickers Saturday during a candlelight vigil for shooting victims at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. "It is just a simple reminder to people that we need simple acts of kindness," Obermeier said. Neil Strebig

Residents gather outside of the Sixth Presbyterian Church, located just across the street from the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Saturday during a candlelight vigil mourning the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Neil Strebig

Anne-Marie Silver, left, Mara Silver and Beth Silver, all members of Congregation Dor Hadash, which makes its home at the Tree of Life building, attend a candlelight vigil in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh Saturday. Neil Strebig

Some of Bowers' social media posts on Gab before the shooting accused Jewish people of supporting and enabling mass migration.

"There was a clear message of hate against the Jewish community," Peduto said.

Despite the numerous social media posts, there was nothing that alerted legal authorities to any illegal activity or a mass shooting so "horrific," Peduto said.

"The police response was tremendous. The shooter was armed at a very high level with a lot of ammunition, indicating there could have been a lot more damage," Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said. "City and county police stopped what could've been worse. I give our police and first responders unbelievable gratitude and credit."

Peter Plazonja of Ontario, Canada climbs atop the Art Rooney statue outside of Heinz Field. Plazonja noted the tragedy of Saturday made him rethink his annual visit to Heinz Field, but it is a trip he and his friends believe should be celebrated. Neil Strebig

Mike Constantine of Mount Washington, a neighborhood within the City of Pittsburgh watches Sunday's game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers at McFadden's on the North Shore. Neil Strebig